Masturbation is a topic that is not directly addressed in the Bible, which can make it challenging to find specific verses that speak to it. However, the Bible offers principles that can guide believers in understanding issues related to purity, self-control, and sexual morality. These principles provide a framework for thinking about actions like masturbation in a way that honors God. Here are 30 Bible verses that can be related to the broader themes of purity, self-control, and honoring God with our bodies, each accompanied by a brief commentary to provide deeper understanding and reflection.
1. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Honoring the body. This passage emphasizes fleeing sexual immorality and recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. It encourages believers to use their bodies in ways that honor God, prompting reflection on how masturbation fits within this framework.
2. Matthew 5:28
“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Guarding thoughts. Jesus warns against lustful thoughts, equating them with adultery. This verse calls for purity of mind and heart, encouraging believers to avoid actions, including masturbation, that may stem from or lead to lustful thoughts.
3. Galatians 5:16
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Walking in the Spirit. Paul urges believers to live by the Spirit rather than giving in to the desires of the flesh. This verse promotes self-control and spiritual living, guiding believers away from actions like masturbation that may be driven by fleshly desires.
4. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
Sanctification and honor. This passage calls for sanctification and self-control, urging believers to handle their bodies with honor and not be driven by lustful passions. It suggests that actions like masturbation should be considered in light of God’s call to holiness.
5. Romans 13:14
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
Avoiding fleshly desires. This verse encourages believers to focus on Christ and avoid making provisions for the flesh, which includes managing sexual desires in a way that aligns with God’s will, potentially questioning the practice of masturbation.
6. 2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Pursuing purity. Paul advises fleeing youthful lusts and pursuing righteousness and purity. This verse calls for a focus on spiritual growth and the avoidance of actions, such as masturbation, that might be associated with impure desires.
7. Proverbs 4:23
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
Guarding the heart. This verse emphasizes the importance of guarding one’s heart, as it is the source of life’s direction. It suggests that believers should be mindful of their inner thoughts and desires, which could include rethinking the motivations behind masturbation.
8. Ephesians 5:3
“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints.”
Living in purity. Paul calls for a life free from sexual immorality and impurity, which is fitting for believers. This verse encourages a standard of purity that may lead to reconsideration of behaviors like masturbation.
9. Colossians 3:5
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Mortifying sinful desires. This verse urges believers to put to death sinful desires, including sexual impurity. It calls for an active stance against behaviors that might feed into those desires, such as masturbation.
10. 1 Peter 2:11
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”
Abstaining from lusts. Peter appeals to believers to abstain from fleshly desires that conflict with the soul’s wellbeing. This verse suggests that believers should consider whether masturbation aligns with their spiritual goals.
11. 1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Resisting temptation. This verse offers assurance that God provides a way to resist temptation. It encourages believers to seek God’s help in overcoming temptations, including those related to sexual desires.
12. Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Focusing on purity. This verse encourages believers to focus on pure and noble things. It challenges believers to consider whether their actions, including masturbation, align with these virtuous qualities.
13. 1 Corinthians 7:9
“But if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
Marriage as a remedy. Paul acknowledges that marriage is the appropriate context for sexual expression if self-control is difficult. This verse implies that sexual desires, which might lead to masturbation, are best fulfilled within the boundaries of marriage.
14. Matthew 15:19
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”
The source of sin. Jesus teaches that sinful actions originate in the heart. This verse suggests that believers should examine their hearts to ensure their thoughts and actions, including those related to masturbation, are pure.
15. Psalm 119:9
“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.”
Cleansing through God’s Word. This verse encourages young people to live a pure life by following God’s Word. It implies that studying and obeying Scripture can guide decisions, including those about sexual behavior.
16. 1 Thessalonians 5:22
“Abstain from every form of evil.”
Avoiding evil. This straightforward verse calls for avoiding every form of evil. It encourages believers to steer clear of actions that could lead to impurity or sin, potentially including masturbation.
17. James 1:14-15
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”
The progression of sin. James describes how unchecked desires lead to sin and ultimately death. This verse serves as a warning to control desires that might lead to sinful actions, such as masturbation.
18. Romans 6:12-13
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”
Instruments of righteousness. Paul urges believers to use their bodies as instruments of righteousness rather than for sinful purposes. This verse calls for reflection on how one’s actions, including masturbation, align with living righteously.
19. Galatians 5:24
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Crucifying the flesh. This verse highlights the believer’s call to put to death fleshly desires. It encourages an examination of whether certain actions, like masturbation, reflect a life crucified to the flesh.
20. 2 Corinthians 7:1
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
Pursuing holiness. Paul urges believers to cleanse themselves from anything that defiles the body or spirit. This verse encourages striving for holiness, prompting reflection on actions that may hinder spiritual growth.
21. 1 John 2:16
“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”
Worldly desires. John warns against the lusts of the flesh, eyes, and pride, which are worldly and not of God. This verse suggests that believers should avoid practices driven by such desires, potentially including masturbation.
22. Romans 8:6
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Spiritual vs. carnal mind. This verse contrasts the outcomes of being carnally minded versus spiritually minded. It encourages believers to focus on spiritual things rather than carnal desires, guiding their behavior accordingly.
23. Job 31:1
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?”
Covenant with the eyes. Job’s commitment to avoid lustful looks serves as an example of striving for purity. This verse challenges believers to consider their thoughts and actions, promoting purity in all areas, including sexuality.
24. Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”
Living righteously. This verse teaches that God’s grace instructs believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, encouraging them to live righteously. It implies that actions contrary to this, such as masturbation, should be reconsidered.
25. 1 Corinthians 9:27
“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
Discipline and self-control. Paul speaks of disciplining his body to avoid disqualification in his ministry. This verse encourages self-control and discipline, particularly regarding bodily desires, which may include the impulse to masturbate.
26. 2 Corinthians 10:5
“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
Captive thoughts. Paul emphasizes the importance of bringing every thought into obedience to Christ. This verse encourages believers to control their thoughts and desires, which could extend to managing sexual impulses.
27. Romans 6:19
“I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.”
Slaves to righteousness. This verse calls for presenting one’s body as an instrument of righteousness rather than for uncleanness. It challenges believers to consider whether their actions, such as masturbation, align with living as slaves to righteousness.
28. James 4:7
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Resisting temptation. James advises submission to God and resistance to the devil’s temptations. This verse encourages believers to rely on God’s strength to overcome temptations, including those related to sexual desires.
29. Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Seeking purity. David’s plea for a clean heart reflects a desire for purity and renewal. This verse can inspire believers to seek God’s help in maintaining purity in all areas of life, including sexual behavior.
30. 1 Corinthians 6:13
“Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”
Purpose of the body. This verse reminds believers that their bodies are for the Lord and not for sexual immorality. It calls for reflection on how to use one’s body in a way that honors God, potentially reconsidering practices like masturbation.
These verses collectively encourage believers to live in a way that honors God, particularly in areas related to purity, self-control, and sexual integrity. While the Bible does not explicitly address masturbation, these principles provide guidance for those seeking to align their actions with their faith and to live in a manner that is pleasing to God.